Mt Tamalpais State Park: Dias Ridge Trail to Muir Beach

San Francisco: Marin Headlands - Mt Tamalpais - Point Reyes

The Dias Ridge Trail runs down the high slopes of Mt Tamalpais State Park to Muir Beach in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area of Marin County. This short, multi-use trail is part of the greater Bay Area Ridge Trail system, a 310+ mile route that runs through all nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Quail nests may contain over 25 eggs; these large clutches may be the result of females laying eggs in nests other than their own, a behavior known as egg-dumping

A receding tide at Muir Beach reveals small tide pools and large basalt rocks

Poppy are ubiquitous along the Dias Ridge Trail

The Dias Ridge Trail crests at 808' before dropping rapidly to the coast

Barnacles cover rocks on the south end of Muir Beach

A well maintained single-track makes Dias Ridge a popular biking route

A Red Breasted Merganser in the lagoon at Muir Beach - the lagoon is a critical habitat for waterfowl and salmon

This wetland area adjacent to Muir Beach is protected and houses many rare species including the California red-legged frog

Turkey vultures have adapted featherless heads so they can feed deep into carcasses without dirtying additional feathers

Clouds loom over the lush green hills of Dias Ridge

Douglas Iris thrive on the Dias Ridge Trail

A group of Gambel Quail feed off the Dias Ridge Trail

In 2009 the Dias Ridge Trail underwent major improvements - made possible by the generosity of the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, California Coastal Conservancy, and the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.